The Loner and Her

Chapter Twenty : Black and Blue

Griffin takes Gia to school Monday morning since Rosa hadn't returned from Manhattan, and there was no way Gia was staying alone at her house. Griffin barely even let the girl out of his sight- except, when she used the bathroom, of course.

When she showered Monday morning, she had to use Griffin's shampoo and body wash. She loves it because, well, it smells just like him. Luckily, he had a spare tooth-brush he had never used before, so she had that.

She also didn't have a pair of clothes, and Griffin wouldn't ask Lexie in a million years for a favor. So, he asked his step-mother for an outfit. His stepmother didn't ask questions as to why he needed her clothes. She knew the less she knows, the better

The clothes are loose on Gia, but it's nothing too bad. She's wearing a long sleeve green v-neck, with a pair of blue jeans-which are too long for her- and Griffin's black zip-up jacket.

Griffin kissed her soundly on the mouth the moment he saw her step out of the bathroom. If people at school didn't already know she was his, they will now.

The moment they enter through the doubled doors to the pits of hell they call high school, Griffin wraps an arm around Gia's shoulders. Pressing her cold body into his.

It's not like in the movies, where everyone stops and stares at the two of them. The looks the two are receiving are more subtle and everyone who knows the two aren't already spreading rumors. First period hasn't started yet, after all.

Posters to the school's annual art show are splattered everywhere across the school hallways. Gia glances at them, without a thought. She had forgotten about the Art Show. It's this Friday, she remembers now.

She can't help but look up at Griffin. He doesn't know that she is in the art show, still. The conversation simply never came up, and to be fairly honest, she's scared of his reaction.

He holds her hands just a bit tighter than usual when Lexie walks by. She almost stops in the hallway at the sight of the two of them. Her eyes narrow and she glares furiously before stomping off to her locker.

Gia lets out a breath she's been holding when Lexie is out of their sights. "I'm guessing she doesn't like me."

"f**k her," he says simply.

He comes with Gia to her locker. She opens it after putting in the combination and goes through the books she needs for class.

"I'm glad we have first period together," he says.

She nods her head, "I wish we had all classes together."

He leans over to kiss her temple, being very affectionate today, she notes. She's not used to so much affection, but she likes it. Especially, it being from Griffin.

He sniffs her hair and she scowls, then shoos him away. "Did you just... sniff my hair?" She looks up at him like he's insane.

He blushes a bit. His eyes everywhere but her. "You just...You smell like me and I like that," he says, in a possessive kind of way.

God, she loves him.

For the first time ever, Gia leans up to peck his lips. She has never initiated a kiss before.

After that, she shuts her locker door, with textbooks in hand, and stars to walk down the hallway, in the direction of Griffin's locker. Until she realizes something.

"Wait," she says, stopping Griffin who was aimlessly following her. "I just realized I have no idea where your locker is."

In the short months they've known each other, she never went with him to get textbooks or anything else from his locker. Ever. They usually always met each other at the library or walked to the library together if they have seen each other in the hallway.

He smirks, "That's right." He then turns on his heels into the other direction. She rolls her eyes and follows him. He stops for a second, turns and grabs her hand to hold, then continues to walk off.

She blushes like crazy.

•••

With Rosa still being in Manhattan with her grandparents, Gia goes with Griffin back to his house after school that day.

Sitting down in the kitchen of the guest house, both munching on snacks that Griffin has bought for them at the liquor store by their school.

With his sweater off, Gia can see his strong and muscled arms under the sleeves of his t-shirt. Her eyes can't help but roam up and down them.

Griffin notices her heated stare, "See something you like, Giules?"

Before she can even think of blushing or looking away, her eyes catch something she doesn't like at all.

A five inch scar is seen above his elbow and a black and blue bruise right above it.

She picks her head up to meet his eyes. He visibly gulps, realizing what she's seen. He shakes his head slowly. "Giules..." He trails off, not knowing what to say because he doesn't want to lie to her. He can't lie to her.

"What did you bump into?" She asks, innocently. Referring to the bruise.

He looks down at the table, and doesn't bother to say a word. That smoke volumes for her.

She nods her head, remaining as calm as possible. "And the scar? Was it an accident?"

He remains silent.

Her eyes instinctively close. She runs a hand down her face. "What happened, Griffin?" She asks, very seriously.

He almost doesn't respond. He simply doesn't know how to. "It doesn't matter. It's done with- "

She shakes her head, but still remains calm, "That's a big bruise- "

"It's okay, really- "

"Really?" She asks, beginning to lose her cool. "It's okay? Why is that I can't care if you're in danger- "

"I'm not in danger- "

"Then what is going on? Please, Griffin."

His face is red with anger. "You wouldn't understand."

She scoffs, "Try me."

"I can't tell you," he says through gritted teeth.

"Why not?" She asks in a soft tone. Her eyes wide and full of wonder. Griffin doesn't want to see that bright shine in her eyes ever go away.

He shakes his head for the hundredth time. "I care about you too much to tell you- "

"Just tell me!"

"I can't because it'll hurt you! And I don't like seeing you hurt! Is that too much to f*****g ask?" He shouts as he stands up, the kitchen chair skidding back behind him. It causes a loud screeching noise to come from the tiles.

Her eyes narrow and she glares at him. Gia stands up as well now, "Do you really expect me to go on and forget everything after you just said that? What're you doing that's so bad that it'll hurt me? Why can't you just tell me?"

His glare becomes harsher. "Giules, stop..."

"Don't do that! I'm not feeling guilty. I need to know now, Griffin."

"Fine! I got the scar when I was fifteen, okay? It's not a memory I want to f*****g remember. So don't make me relive it!"

She frowns suddenly. Not meaning to have upset him. She shakes her head, "Dammit. Griffin, I'm so sorry- "

He shakes his head, "It's fine, Giules, I just- I need a breather." And with that, he exits the kitchen and slams the front door on his way out.

She ends up sobbing at the kitchen table. Afraid she may have pushed him too far.

•••

Griffin comes back to the guest house around nine o'clock at night. His facial expression becomes one of total heart break at the sight of Gia curled up on his bed, crying.

He enters his room slowly.

She picks her head up from the pillow slowly. Her tears stained to her cheeks and her green eyes are red.

"Griffin!" She exclaims and runs up and off the bed and tackles him with a giant hug. She continues to cry, "I'm sorry! Please, never leave me again! I-I was so scared- " she hiccups, loudly.

His eyes widen in realization. "f**k. Baby, I'm sorry. f**k, I'm the biggest asshole. I'm so sorry. I should've never left when you're- "

She shakes her head, "I'm sorry. I should have never- "

"No, you had every right- "

"So did you- "

They both can't help but laugh at that.

Gia sighs into his chest. "I got so scared whenever I heard- like- the smallest of sounds. I'm such a baby."

He shakes his head with determine. "No, you're not a baby. What happened to you was scary, babe. I forgot and left you...I f****d up. I know how scared you get at night now and I just left you..." The more he talked, the more mad he got at himself.

His fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. "I'm the worst f*****g boyfriend. I'm sorry, baby...." His gives her kisses all over her face. Hoping to take away her tears.

God, she loves him.

She shakes her head, "It's okay." But she is enjoying his kisses and affection, very much.

He, then, gives her lips five pecks before touching his forehead to hers.

"I'll never do that again. I promise."

She nods her head. "I promise to never push you like that. I just...I just care about you..." She whispers breathlessly.

He nods in understanding. "Don't worry, babe. I just got butt hurt like a little b***h because I had to remember stupid shit." She laughs in response. She's never heard him cuss so much than he has in one day. It's nice to see him relaxed compared to otherwise.

Clearing his throat, he breaks away from her. "I need to tell you something."

Gia nods, "Okay. What is it?"

"The scar, the one you saw, I...I got it from Mr. Prescott."

Her eyes went wide and she backed up a step in surprise. "What?"

He looks down, not wanting to meet her eyes. "When I was younger and first met him...I was a lanky kid. And, well, I used to not do so good in social gatherings with his rich friends. I talked too much in his opinion. So, when we'd get home...he'd..." He sighs and Gia runs her hand up and down his bare arm to give him reassurance. "He'd beat me to the point where I wouldn't talk anymore."

Gia sobs loudly and Griffin tugs her into a warm embrace. He didn't mean to make her cry.

"The scar," he continues, needing to get this off his chest, "Is when I said in front of a client of his that he was an asshole. He told the client I was a troubled kid- I was mad at him that day, because he wouldn't let me see my mom, but anyway- after the client left, he pushed me too hard. He...He was so angry, he grabbed a glass bowl and threw it at me..."

Her sobs escalated and he holds her tighter. "Please, stop crying for me, baby. I'm okay."

She shakes her head as she cries, "No, you're not."

Her hands clasp onto the back of his t-shirt and she holds on to him as if she's afraid he'll disappear. "I hate him."

He sighs, "So do I."

"Kiss me," she begs, breathlessly. She needs him. She needs to know he's okay. The vivid images that appeared in her head scared her so bad, she thought he was gone. Even though he was standing right in front of her.

"My pleasure," he whispers and he bends down to lock his lips with hers.

He's okay.

But she might not be.